One less thing....

Right after Thanksgiving, I bought two boxes of Christmas cards.

I had really good intentions.

What I lacked was motivation.

Last year I sent photo cards.

Photoshop in a couple more wrinkles and we still look the same. Maybe next year we'll have a family photo to send.

I've been known to send a lengthy Christmas letter. Due to blogging, Facebook and free long distance, any news would be old news.

I did manage to mail five cards. But unless you're in Iraq, prison, or on the mission field, you can stop checking your mail box.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PC in the CoC

I find it odd that the ONE time my local congregation decides to be "politically correct" is at Christmas. Amid all the hoopla of boycotting certain stores because their greeting is "Happy Holidays" not "Merry Christmas" and the endless emails criticizing those who have taken "Christ" out of Christmas, my church finds itself on the, shall we say, pagan side of the fence.

In my childhood, I was taught that since we don't exactly KNOW the specific date of Jesus' birth, we should not celebrate the event. Or better yet, celebrate it all year long. I often found myself arguing the point with my peers. Strangely, the very season that His name is mentioned most, and the world is opening doors of dialogue opportunity, we slam the door in their faces. Is it really so wrong to choose a day on our calendar to shift everyone's focus onto our Savior? The work has already been done for us. We don't even have to try to "sell" it. Just take advantage of it!

I found out this week that one "Christmas" song made its way into our worship schedule for Sunday, only to be taken out by those holding the power. It saddens me that a song taken directly from our standard book of hymns should be axed just because it's December.

But of course, we must be politically correct. Happy Holidays!

Party On

This is my evaluation of the Zumba party tonight.

Getting to visit and know my fellow Zumba classmates better -- awesome.

Best friend Janet choosing her BIRTHDAY party at her PARENTS' over the Zumba party -- lame.

Being accompanied by a live bongo drummer -- awesome.

Dancing to "Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya" with a male drummer in the room -- lame. (I'm just sayin'.)

Learning that said drummer is the father of a gym employee and not some pervert -- less lame.

Looking forward to the after-class refreshments -- awesome.

Refreshments consisting of pretzels, Crystal Light and low-fat, low-cal mini muffins -- lame.

Final name drawn for a door prize....Lita! -- awesome.

Door prize = High Protein/Soy Based Hot Chocolate mix -- lame.

Can I trade for one of the cool Zumba tote bags or head bands?

Most physically challenging high-impact Zumba class to date -- awesome.

Almost breaking a sweat -- very awesome.

Winterfest '09

Two reasons it might not be wise to go ice skating on a mild sunny day: a) everyone else in Tulsa has the same idea and b) there's an inch of water on top of the ice.

No skate rental discount, so we're determined to make the most of it.

Did I mention it was very sunny?

Steady, fella.

Huggin' the wall.

Notice the soaking wet jeans. Not sure if we were ice skating or swimming. We may be officially in the "polar bear club" now.

Jacob was a trooper. And I got a good "core" workout, just trying to skate and hold him up.

I give him a 6.5 for level of difficulty.

We went back to his house and snuggled under the blanket (wet jeans can make you really cold) to watch "Night at the Museum" while Jacob told me everything that was going to happen or be said 5 seconds before it actually happened. Listening to him narrate the movie was funnier than the movie itself. He said, "Nana, you laugh a lot." Yep.

Random Thoughts Du Jour

Due to popular demand, I am writing a new post so that millions of readers who keep visiting my site won't have to keep looking at the pumpkin pie catastrophe.

Random Thoughts:

I watched my beautiful niece, Morgan, today on the Channel 6 morning show. She has teamed up with the Salvation Army to do the "Bark Park Toy Drive." Her idea, her initiative, her organization, her big heart. I'm so proud of her. You can see the interview here. Here's the plug--take your dog to the dog park tomorrow, Joe Station or Hunter Park, 11:00 - 3:00, and drop off a new toy for a child that may not otherwise have a present under the tree.

Morgan

Better than smashed pumpkin pie, right?

How many years have I been grocery shopping at Walmart? Ten years? Twenty? For the first time today I noticed that the produce aisle has labels above the vegetables. I always have trouble finding the green onions, but lo and behold, if you just read the signs, you can stroll right up to them. Seriously. I almost cried.

Because of lab results, I now will add one more pill to my daily regimen. Dear Santa, I want one of those plastic daily pill organizers, preferably with hourly compartments. I've been a very good girl.

I don't want to hear any more details of Tiger's sex life. The end.